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Sykesville council introduces FY2027 budget ordinance, holds tax rate steady and sets May 11 public hearing
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Summary
At its April 27 meeting the Sykesville Mayor and Town Council unanimously approved introduction of ordinance 2026-01 to adopt the FY2027 budget and keep the real property tax rate unchanged at $0.32 ($0.32) per $100 assessed value; staff told the council the draft budget totals roughly $5.6 million and schedules a public hearing for May 11.
The Sykesville Mayor and Town Council on April 27 introduced ordinance 2026-01, a draft operating and capital budget for fiscal year 2027, and set a public hearing for May 11, 2026.
Mayor (speaker 1) said the proposed real property tax rate would remain unchanged at $0.32 (32 cents) per $100 of assessed value and turned the presentation to town staff. Town staff member Joe (speaker 3) told the council the combined operating and capital budgets in the draft represent roughly $5,600,000 in revenues and expenses and that capital spending is about 20% lower than the current fiscal year.
Why it matters: The introduction preserves the existing property tax rate while outlining spending priorities that include parks work, a Sandusky Building evaluation and facade-improvement grants; the public hearing on May 11 gives residents a chance to comment before adoption.
Staff presented revenue assumptions and key expenditure items. Joe said property-tax receipts account for roughly $2,100,000 of the draft revenue total, reflecting assessment increases phased in over three years, and projected income-tax revenue of just over $1,300,000. He also said interest income will decline next year because the town expects most ARPA funds to be spent by the end of the current fiscal year.
On expenditures, staff said no net new full-time positions are proposed, but a detective-sergeant position at the police department will be replaced with a patrol position and that salary categories increased under new salary scales. Joe also highlighted benefits cost pressure, noting healthcare costs are projected to rise (the presentation cited a healthcare increase of about 19.9%).
Capital priorities in the draft include parking and roadway work tied to Cooper Drive and Miller Cooper Park (the splash pad’s continued popularity was cited), planning work for the Cannery Building at South Branch Park (options include renovation or demolition), and renovation planning for the Sandusky Building; the council was told a KCI evaluation of the Sandusky Building is expected in the coming weeks. The budget also includes an elevated facade-improvement award (about $125,000) that requires Historic District Commission and state approvals, and replacement fleet equipment and a patrol vehicle to be paid in part from impact fees.
After discussion, a motion to introduce ordinance 2026-01 was made, seconded (recorded on the floor as moved by Councilman Smith and seconded by Councilwoman Gearoff) and approved by voice vote. The council scheduled the public hearing on May 11, 2026; staff will return with the adoption agenda after the hearing and any required revisions.
Next steps: Public testimony will be taken at the May 11 hearing before the council considers final adoption.
